Says Karl Kapuscinski, General Manager, “It’s clear that we’re stepping things up this season. With these seven at the helm, Mountain High is going to be one to watch.”

Tyrone Coyne: With over seven years of experience, Tyrone Coyne is an expert in terrain management whose skills have been proven at both Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. Beginning at Summit in 1996, he climbed the ladder quickly and was promoted to Crew Leader after just the first year, Assistant Terrain Supervisor after the second, and Terrain Supervisor after the fourth. During his tenure, their parks were regarded as the best in the country and named number one two years in a row by Transworld’s Reader’s Poll. Most recently at Bear Mountain, Tyrone was given a fresh canvas to work with, and he went wild. As their Park Development Supervisor, he paved the way for their all-mountain terrain program and turned the heads of riders across the state. To his credit, Coyne has been a key builder at all four Nixon Jib Fests, three Triple Crowns, the Dragon Air Force contest, and the 02/03 X-Games Slopestyle course.

Now at Mountain High, Tyrone has been named Terrain Manager, overseeing the design, layout and development of the parks. He will be working hard to bring Mountain High to the forefront of the freestyle community, capitalizing on their significant snowfall and convenient location.

Says Tyrone, “This resort has tremendous potential, and the management supports the terrain program 110%. There is one vision here. One focus. And one acceptable result.”

Jeremy Carpenter: Hailing from Breckenridge, CO, Jeremy has a passion for snowboarding that is unmatched. His impressive résumé includes resorts such as Copper Mountain, Breckenridge and Mount Hood. At Mount Hood for the past seven years he has spent his summers designing and maintaining the features as the On Hill Manager at Mount Hood Snowboard Camp. At Mountain High, Carpenter is building signature rails and fun boxes to entice riders this coming winter. He is both an expert rider and a professional terrain designer, so, once the season opens, he will transition to his new home, the cockpit of a Bombardier BR350 park cat.

Says Jeremy, “I came to Mountain High to progress and be progressive in the parks. To have more flexibility and more creativity. Mountain High encourages that. They are open to new ideas and I appreciate the executive support. From the top down, Mountain High lives and breathes terrain parks.”

Shane Smart: Shane Smart’s terrain experience spans the past decade and reaches from one side of the country to the other. His qualifications include numerous snowboarding Grand Prix events, the Van’s Triple Crown and the Swatch World BoarderCross that he toured with from 1997 to 1999. Beginning in Big Bear as a light groomer, Shane excelled both in the cat and on his board. After just several years of riding, he turned pro and was picked up by Rip Curl clothing and Expired snowboards, a since expired company. His career took him to Utah where, for two seasons, he built his reputation and perfected his signature double front flip. While working on the Swatch World Tour, Smart continued to compete and was ranked seventh in the United States in BoarderCross.

Keith Pfahler: Keith Pfahler has been snowboarding for twelve years and building for more than seven. His background includes resorts such as Mount Hood, Snoqualimie and Bear Mntain. He has also toured the West Coast building for events such as the NBC Gravity Games, the Swatch World BoarderCross, the Vans Triple Crown and the Kokanee Grand Nationals in Canada.Now at Mountain High, Keith is excited to be teamed up with Tyrone, a longtime friend and colleague who he has worked with many times before.

Says Pfahler, “Mountain High has grown tremendously over the past several years and I’m glad to be part of the next stage.”

Justin Montoya: Justin Montoya grew up in Redondo Beach, CA, but a move to Wrightwood, CA, in his early teens sparked a huge passion for skiing. After just two years on the snow, his natural abilities catapulted him into the world of professional freestyle skiing, and he has since competed in events across the country. Off the clock, Montoya can be seen launching off Mountain High’s numerous terrain features, but, on the clock, Justin is a jump builder, halfpipe cutter, dirt pusher, rail welder and more. Last November he was named Employee of the Month for his outstanding work and commitment to the guest. This year, he plans to continue his growth in the art of building and provide Mountain High’s visitors with the best experience possible.

Says Justin Montoya, “I’m the future of terrain building. I’m the youngest one here, and I want to learn from the best, then adapt my own style to the parks.”

Scott Gomarko: Scott Gomarko began riding in 1988 when many resorts on the East Coast still didn’t accept snowboarders. He remembers calling local areas in Vermont and Maine to see if he would be allowed to ride.

Says Scott, “I used to get a list of resorts, and, if you couldn’t snowboard there, I’d go to the next one on the list. Watching the evolution of the sport, it still blows my mind how much things have changed.”

Gomarko’s degree in Sports Management from Eastern Connecticut State University lends both credibility and experience to his direction of the day crew. His responsibilities include day-to-day maintenance and manicuring of all terrain features including both snow and manmade objects. With a staff of over 30 employees, Scott and his team make sure the park is fun and safe for riders of all ages and abilities. This season he is excited about the new ideas for the rails and funboxes, and the comradery that has developed between the Magnificent Seven.

Nick Buchwitz: Nick Buchwitz possesses a myriad of talents, and such people are hard to find. As a certified welder, he worked for San Bernardino Steel for six years bending and shaping raw material. His work has provided the foundation for many multi-million dollar projects including the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. No surprise, his skills lend themselves perfectly to rail building, and now at Mountain High, he has even begun teaching some of the other team members to increase their quality and safety.

Says Nick, “To see new features come to life is really exciting. To see something begin as raw steel and then end up as a finished, rideable feature…it’s incredible.”

Buchwitz is also a professional groomer, and recently he was promoted to Grooming Supervisor. As such he will maintain the overall snow quality, providing support to the terrain park staff, and coordinating prompt snow removal when necessary.

Says Nick Buchwitz, “I’ll keep the mountain from sinking in snow. I’ve seen it before…like back in 97/98.”

Overall Mountain High has stepped up its park program tenfold. The combination of new talent and new machines is incredible, plus the resort has created an entirely new line of rails and funboxes, nearly doubling its arsenal. New items include an eight-foot high swing set box, a 32 -foot long double roller box, and The Toolbox, a feature that was obviously built to be worked.

In addition to terrain features, Mountain High has erected The Outhouse, a 400 square foot chill deck complete with guest seating, judging platforms, sectional heating, a gabled roof, event supply storage areas and more. Located at the top of the Jib Park, The Outhouse is an on-mountain hangout where riders can take a break from the park, warm up and watch their friends. The facility will also be a focal point for special events, parties, and concerts. Special thanks goes to Boost Mobile and Powder & Sun sport shops for their sponsorship of this new venue.

For more information or to schedule a photo shoot in Mountain High’s new terrain parks, please contact John McColly, Director of Marketing, at (760) 316-7830.t the top of the Jib Park, The Outhouse is an on-mountain hangout where riders can take a break from the park, warm up and watch their friends. The facility will also be a focal point for special events, parties, and concerts. Special thanks goes to Boost Mobile and Powder & Sun sport shops for their sponsorship of this new venue.

For more information or to schedule a photo shoot in Mountain High’s new terrain parks, please contact John McColly, Director of Marketing, at (760) 316-7830.